Happy Oscar Sunday!
It’s finally here! With all the glamour, craziness, and inspiration we’ve come to expect.
When it’s all said and done, most of us are in no way impacted by the events of tonight. However, we and the world are touched by the films that tonight celebrates. Perhaps that’s why so many of us get so excited (and attached) to their outcome.
In that spirit of excitement and celebration, we’re keeping with tradition, and sharing our picks for tonight’s top awards. And this year, for the first time ever, we’re breaking (slightly) from tradition, and picking our winners for all 24 categories.
Fair warning, it could get ugly, but that’s part of the fun, right? So, without further ado, here are our picks for the 88th Academy Awards.
Best Supporting Actor:
Stephanie: Sylvester Stallone in “Creed” — Would I be disappointed by a Tom Hardy (“The Revenant”) or Mark Ruffalo (“Spotlight”) upset? No. But it’s Rocky.
Zer: Sylvester Stallone in “Creed” — It’s Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa…I rest my case.
Best Costume Design:
Stephanie: “Cinderella” — The magic of Disney is hard to beat…but if anyone does, it will be “Mad Max.”
Zer: “Cinderella” — This one is tough, “Mad Max” might win, but I’m going with my inner Disney princess gut on this one. What can I say, I like my costume designs pretty.
Best Makeup and Hairstyling:
Stephanie: “The Revenant” — This is for the makeup half of this award, which is impressive in its gruesomeness. You won’t see any incredible hairstyles wandering through the frozen backwoods.
Zer: “Mad Max: Fury Road” — While the work done in “The Revenant” is very impressive, the sheer scale of “Mad Max” makes them a shoo-in for this award.
Best Foreign Language Film:
Stephanie: “Son of Saul” — This is a “going with the Golden Globes” selection, pure and simple.
Zer: “Son of Saul” — This and the next few categories are based purely on my gut and a bit of research…
Best Live Action Short Film:
Stephanie: “Ave Maria”
Zer: “Ave Maria”
Best Documentary Short Subject:
Stephanie: “Body Team 12”
Zer: “Body Team 12”
Best Sound Mixing:
Stephanie: “Mad Max: Fury Road” — Although they’re not the only two nominees, the technical awards this evening, the technical categories are essentially “Star Wars” vs. “Mad Max.” I think the Academy, although not willing to allow the top grossing film of the year into the upper echelon of categories, will want to acknowledge “Star Wars” in some way. So, I won’t be surprised if they take this and editing as well.
Zer: “Mad Max: Fury Road” — I could see “Star Wars” coming out of left field on this and sound editing, but “Mad Max” has the advantage of way more nominations.
Best Sound Editing:
Stephanie: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Zer: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
Best Supporting Actress:
Stephanie: “Alicia Vikander” in “The Danish Girl” — While a “Titanic” sweep by Kate and Leo would be fantastic, I have to give this to Alicia, who has had an incredible year.
Zer: Alicia Vikander in “The Danish Girl” — I really want Kate Winslet to take this home, because I have a dream of Jack and Rose getting Oscars on the same night; however Ms. Vikander has more than earned her nomination, and will probably win.
Best Visual Effects:
Stephanie: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” — As I said it’s “Star Wars,” the top grossing film of the year, if it wins nothing else, it will take this category. It deserves it for BB8 alone.
Zer: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”— Although, “Mad Max” could take this one. The series got back to its roots of computer and practical effects in this film. Plus, it’s “Star Wars.”
Best Animated Short Film:
Stephanie: “Sanjay’s Super Team” — Presumably, one of the best parts of “The Last Dinosaur.”
Zer: “Sanjay’s Super Team” — I have no idea, but I like the name.
Best Animated Feature Film:
Stephanie: “Inside Out” — It’s one of the best films of the year, it will win. Although, I will say, this category overall is absolutely incredible this go-round. Close your eyes and point, you’ll have a great movie.
Zer: “Inside Out” — Pixar + Original Screenplay + Amy Poehler + The Academy = Oscar Victory
Best Production Design:
Stephanie: “Mad Max: Fury Road” — The years that went into the production design of this film have more than earned this award.
Zer: “Mad Max: Fury Road” — “Mad Max” doesn’t really have any competition in this category, its size alone puts it miles ahead of its fellow nominees.
Best Cinematography:
Stephanie: “The Revenant” — Even at its most painfully boring moments, it’s beautiful.
Zer: “The Revenant” — It’s a really pretty film, it deserves to win this category.
Best Film Editing:
Stephanie: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” — The “Mad Max” vs. “Star Wars” battle continues…
Zer: “Mad Max: Fury Road” — I may regret this pick, but I think Max will beat out “Star Wars” in this category…
Best Documentary Feature:
Stephanie: “Amy”
Zer: “Amy”
Best Original Song:
Stephanie: “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground” — I think Gaga’s got this one.
Zer: “Til It Happens to You” from “The Hunting Ground”— It’s hard to be against Lady Gaga…While there are many good contenders including a Bond theme, I think this one will take home the Oscar gold.
Best Original Score:
Stephanie: “The Hateful Eight” Ennio Morricone
Zer: “The Hateful Eight” Ennio Morricone
Best Writing (Original Screenplay):
Stephanie: “Spotlight” written by Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy
Zer: “Spotlight” written by Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy
Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay):
Stephanie: “The Big Short” Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
Zer: “The Big Short” Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay
Best Director:
Stephanie: Alejandro G. Iñárritu for “The Revenant” — Should he win? Not in my opinion. My personal choice would be Tom McCarthy for “Spotlight,” but alas they didn’t ask me.
Zer: Alejandro G. Iñárritu for “The Revenant” — I do not think that Mr. Iñárritu should win this award, but he probably will. The best director should be responsible for the best film, and “The Revenant” is not, in my opinion, even close to the best film. If you’re wondering why, just look at the other candidates and you’ll see a pattern.
Best Actor:
Stephanie: Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Revenant” — Leo gets an Oscar!!! Did I love the movie? Not so much. But Leo is fantastic in this film.
Zer: Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Revenant” — It’s about darn time! This is his fifth acting nomination, and general consensus is that tonight will finally be Mr. DiCaprio’s night, and he’s definitely earned it. While “The Revenant” has its flaws, Mr. DiCaprio’s performance is flawless.
Best Actress:
Stephanie: Brie Larson in “Room” — There’s a general consensus around this one, and it’s well-deserved.
Zer: Brie Larson in “Room”— Ms. Larson has some serious competition, but based on the award season results so far, she seems to have this category locked.
Best Picture:
Stephanie: “Spotlight” — This is in all likelihood wrong, but I can’t in good conscience pick “The Revenant” on this one. “The Revenant” is long, tired, and tedious. Yes it includes some incredible, award-worthy performances, but overall it has more than a few weaknesses. “Spotlight” is a great film, from every angle.
Zer: “Spotlight” — I realize a lot of people are going with “The Revenant,” but I think “Spotlight” has serious upset potential. While “The Revenant” has some great performances, the film overall has way too many short comings to be dubbed the “Best Picture.” It’s needlessly long, and there are several plot premises that leave you scratching your head. “Spotlight,” on the other hand, is the complete package. It’s well written, beautifully acted, and riveting from beginning to end.
